Sen. Melinda Bush

Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not in any manner limit a physical therapist from establishing a relevant diagnosis. In the definition of "documented current and relevant diagnosis" and in provisions concerning disciplinary actions, removes language requiring a diagnosis to be substantiated by a physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or podiatric physician. Effective immediately.

Creates the Behavioral Health Workforce Act. Creates the Behavioral Health Education Center, administered by a teaching or research State university, or both. Provides that the Center shall be operational on or before July 1, 2019. Provides that the Center shall: (1) provide funds for 2 additional medical residents in a State-based psychiatry program each year beginning July 1, 2019 until a total of 8 additional psychiatry residents are added in 2022; (2) provide funds for 5 one-year doctoral-level psychology internships, master social workers, and master level clinical professional counselors in this State within 12 months after the effective date of this Act and every year thereafter and increase the number of interns in the program to 10 within 36 months after the effective date of this Act. Provides that the interns shall be placed in communities so as to increase access to behavioral health services for patients residing in rural and underserved areas of this State; and (3) beginning July 1, 2020, develop 5 behavioral health interdisciplinary training sites each year until a total of 20 sites have been developed. Provides that 10 of the 20 sites shall be in counties with a population of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants. Requires the Center to perform other duties. Provides that no later than December 1 of every odd-numbered year, the Center shall prepare a report of its activities under the Behavioral Health Workforce Act. Provides that the report shall be filed electronically with the General Assembly and shall be provided electronically to any member of the General Assembly upon request.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits the disclosure of information by officials of a county or municipality involving reports of damaged property or the owners of damaged property if that disclosure is made to a township or county assessment official in connection with the natural disaster credit. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Repeals a Section providing that nothing in the Act prohibits the disclosure of information by officials of a county or municipality involving reports of damaged property or the owners of damaged property if that disclosure is made to a township or county assessment official in connection with the natural disaster income tax credit.

Amends the School Code. Provides that course material and instruction in a sex education course shall include, with an emphasis on the workplace environment and life on a college campus, material and discussion on what constitutes sexual consent and what may be considered sexual harassment or sexual assault. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a department foreign fire insurance board shall be created within the fire department of all municipalities (rather than municipalities with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants) that have an organized fire department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act. Provides that no intergovernmental or interagency agreement or contract may be entered into, implemented, or given effect if the agreement's or contract's intent or effect is, among other requirements, to circumvent any limitation established by law pertaining to payroll certification under the State Finance Act or to authorize the payment of employees of the Office of the Governor out of appropriations other than those established for that purpose. Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that, for the Office of the Governor, the certification on every State payroll voucher shall be required for expenditures from amounts appropriated to the Office of the Governor for payment of salaries of Governor's Office employees and executed by the Governor, or his or her designee, in addition to any other certifications or approvals which may be required by law to be made. Provides that in no event shall salaries of employees of the Office of the Governor be paid from appropriations other than those established for that purpose. Effective immediately.

Urges Illinois agencies to take action to protect against the loss of water resources and flooding and ecological impacts from Foxconn Technology Group's facility.

Urges the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Illinois Department of Labor to investigate the culture of harassment at Ford's Illinois plants, and provide increased support for the brave women who have come forward to make their voices heard. Calls upon the Governor of Illinois to review all state contracts with Ford Motor Company for compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Procurement Code, and other laws and regulations governing state contractors. Calls upon the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Illinois Department of Human Rights, and the Illinois Department of Labor to investigate UAW's role in facilitating the harassment at Ford's Illinois plants, including whether it breached its duty of fair representation to union members who were victims of harassment.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the unlawful sale of public conveyance travel tickets to a minor.

Mourns the death of Joseph John Triolo of Zion.